Create a Native COBOL Program Unit Test

Use this process to create a unit test within a COBOL unit test project, for testing native COBOL or mainframe COBOL code. This type of unit test calls into existing code in your workspace that you plan to test.
  1. While in the COBOL perspective, select a COBOL unit test project in the COBOL Explorer pane.
  2. Right-click the project, point to New, and select COBOL Unit Test.

    The New COBOL Unit Test dialog box appears.

  3. Select Program Unit Test, and then click Next.
  4. In the Containing project field, ensure it states the name of your unit test project.
  5. In the New file name field, type the name of your test fixture program.
    Restriction: Do not use the file name mfunit, as this will not run within the Micro Focus Unit Testing Framework.
  6. To create a linked fixture file, select Create unit test for program, then click Browse, select the program that contains the code you want to test, then click OK.
    Note: The selected program must be from a local Native COBOL or mainframe project (for a local-based unit test project) or from a project using the same remote connection (for a remote unit test project), and must be built to one of the following target types: Single Native Library File, All Native Library Files, or All Int/Gnt Files - these can be used when the unit test project links to a single or multiple projects. (The Single/All Executable Files target types are only supported for self-contained unit tests.) Any linked project must also share the same Platform Target setting as your test project.
  7. Click Next.
  8. Configure only one of the following sections:
    • Create unit test for entry points: select each entry point name within the source program that contains code you intend to test. Each selected entry point has corresponding test entry points created in the generated fixture file.
    • Create unit test for data source: for data-driven tests, select a data file (.csv file) with which to test source code from a particular entry point in your source program:
      1. Unit test data source - click Browse, then select a .csv file that contains the data required for your unit tests. This value is used in the MFU-MD-TESTDATA metadata when the tests are created.
      2. Data source delimiter - click , (comma) and select the delimiter used in the file. This value is used in the MFU-MD-DD-DSV metadata when the tests are created.
      3. Program entry point - select the entry point in the source program for which a test case is to be created. (Unlike the other type of unit test, you can only select one entry point.)
  9. Click Finish.

    The test fixture file is created within the unit test project.

The fixture file contains some auto-generated stub code based on the details specified. Some of the essential elements and additional configuration (required for linked fixture files) are as follows:
  • The two copybooks required by the Micro Focus Unit Testing Framework are copied into the project.

    Copybook entries in test code

  • The test fixture elements (test setup, test case, etc...) have been created for each entry point selected.

    Sample test setup code

  • A procedure pointer has been added to the test setup that enables you to call into the source code, and a level 78 constant for the test case name has been added (to help when creating the different elements of the test case).

    Procedure pointer in test code

  • The Linkage section from the source program has been replicated in the Working-storage section, initialized, and a CALL statement coded in the test case.

    Linkage section in test code

  • The project containing the program under test is added to the Projects tab of the Build Path properties.

    Test project added to Build Path properties

You can now start writing your test code; see Writing Tests.

Parent topic: Types of Unit Test